Instant Analysis: Pirates Make Tulsa Walk The Plank

East Carolina defeated Tulsa 58-24 Saturday in Greenville.  Here's the instant analysis:

What it means for Tulsa:

The nightmare season continues, and any hopes of recovering to make a bowl game are now erased.  Entering the season, if you'd tole me TU wouldn't make a bowl, I would have called you crazy.  But that's the reality for a Golden Hurricane squad that has now lost three in a row and sits at just 1-4 in a weak Conference USA. 

The rest of the season will be evaluation time for Bill Blankenship and his staff.  It's time for TU to find out what exactly it has heading into next year. 

What went wrong:

The TU defense allowed 505 yards and allowed ECU quarterback Shane Carden to pass for 384 yards and five scores.  The Golden Hurricane offense actually played a strong game, but when you're allowing points at that kind of rate, you have no chance to keep up. 

Player of the game:

Even in a frustrating and mostly negative season, Trey Watts has been outstanding throughout; tonight was no different.  Watts ran for 120 and a touchdown while also hauling in 48 yards receiving and another score.  Watts is quietly putting together a fantastic season.  

What's next:

It gets no easier for TU.  The Hurricane welcomes Rakeem Cato and the high-powered Marshall Thundering Herd to Chapman Stadium Thursday night.